Education and Art in José Martí: Patriotism, Ethics, and Humanist Pedagogy

Abstract

This article examines Jose Marti (1853-1895)  conception of patriotism—shaped by thinkers like Félix Varela—and how Marti expressed his ethical and pedagogical ideals through literary works. We analyze key texts by Marti, from his early dramatic piece Abdala and his correspondence with independence generals Maximo Gomez and Antonio Maceo, to his children’s magazine La Edad de Oro and poems such as Los zapaticos de rosa and  Yugo y estrella These examples highlight Martí’s humanist thought and pedagogical vision, as well as his advocacy of love for the homeland, virtue, and Latin American unity. In conclusion, we underscore the relevance of Martí’s educational and moral legacy in contemporary cultural and civic education.